Touch-free loading system for an in-bay, automatic vehicle wash system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle loading system for the wash bay of an automatic vehicle wash system that eliminates the use of a floor-mounted target to capture the front tire of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle wash system includes a pair of side position sensors that detect and create a side profile of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay. The vehicle wash system includes a front sensor array that includes a plurality of through-beam sensors that detect the front bumper of a vehicle and signal the vehicle operator to stop when the front bumper is in the correct position. An overhead sensor contained on the overhead gantry detects the top profile of the vehicle positioned within the open wash bay. A control unit receives the information from the variety of sensors and operates the overhead gantry based upon the detected parameters of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of prior application Ser. No.10/137,883 filed May 3, 2002 Allen S. Jones and Mark Cuddeback forTouch-Free Loading System For An In-Bay, Automatic Vehicle Wash System,and now abandoned, which is a divisional application of application Ser.No. 09/848,918 filed May 4, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,407, issuedJul. 30, 2002, which is related to and claims priority from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60,203,232 filed on May 8, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for properlypositioning a vehicle in the wash bay of an automatic vehicle washsystem. More specifically, the present invention relates to avehicle-loading system that utilizes a series of sensors to detect andposition a vehicle in the wash bay and thus does not require afloor-mounted target that captures a tire of the vehicle to properlyposition the vehicle within the wash bay of an in-bay, vehicle washsystem.

In current in-bay, vehicle wash systems, the vehicle-loading systemincludes a floor-mounted “target” that captures the tire of the vehicleto be washed. The floor-mounted target is typically an inclined ramp orraised member on the wash bay floor. In this type of system, theoperator of the vehicle being washed must guide the left front tire ofhis or her vehicle onto the ramp. The floor-mounted target is used toaccurately position the vehicle relative to the operating components ofthe in-bay, vehicle washing system such that the control system for thevehicle wash can operate an overhead spray arch in the correct manner towash the vehicle.

Floor-mounted target systems can cause new customers a great deal ofanxiety, since the customer must align the front tire with the targetwhile at the same time watching instruction signs mounted within thewash bay. Additionally, if the floor-mounted target system is missedinitially, it is difficult for the customer to back onto the ramp tomove into the correct position.

Floor-mounted target systems also have problems that are associated withthe variety of production tires that are available on the market. Sincethe floor-mounted target captures the front tire of the vehicle beingwashed, floor-mounted target systems constantly have issues with beingable to accommodate the variety of widths and heights of different typesof tires. Additionally, many high performance vehicles have low profiletires creating a possibility that expensive, polished rims can bescratched or damaged by the floor-mounted target system.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an openbay loading system that does not include any type of floor-mountedtarget to position the vehicle within the wash bay. It is an additionalobject of the present invention to provide a vehicle-loading system thatutilizes a plurality of through-beam sensors and position sensors toaccurately determine the position of a vehicle within the open wash baywithout any contact with a tire of the vehicle. It is an additionalobject of the present invention to provide a vehicle-loading system thatincludes left and right side vehicle position sensors that not onlydetect the position of the vehicle within the open wash bay, but alsodetermine the side profile of the vehicle as it is driven into the openwash bay.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a vehicle-loading system for positioning avehicle within an open wash bay of a vehicle wash system. Thevehicle-loading system does not include any floor-mounted target deviceto position the vehicle within the wash bay. Instead, thevehicle-loading system of the invention includes at least a pair offront sensors that each emit a through beam spaced from each other by adistance of approximately 18 inches. As the vehicle drives into the washbay, a pair of right and left vehicle position sensors sense the sideprofile of the vehicle and the distance of the vehicle from both theright and left sides of the wash bay.

As the vehicle continues to proceed within the wash bay, electronicinstruction signs within the wash bay signal the driver to stop when thefront bumper of the vehicle is within a certain acceptable position. Ifthe vehicle travels too far into the wash bay, the instruction signswithin the wash bay signal the customer to back up into the acceptableposition. The use of the front sensors and the right and left vehicleposition sensors allows the control unit of the vehicle wash system todetermine the position of the vehicle within the wash bay and modify theoperating instructions to the overhead gantry and spray arch based uponthe position of the vehicle.

In addition to the front sensors and the left and right vehicle positionsensors, the vehicle wash system of the present invention includes asensor positioned on the overhead gantry to detect the height of thevehicle as the overhead gantry makes an initial pass over the vehicle.The overhead sensor is preferably an ultrasonic sensor. As the gantrymakes a pass over the vehicle, the overhead sensor is able to determinethe top profile of the vehicle, which can be used to control theoperation of the side and top portions of the spray arch. Preferably,the overhead sensor mounted to the gantry, as well as the right and leftvehicle position sensors and the front sensors are coupled to a commoncontrol unit that is able to determine an accurate profile of thevehicle prior to initiating the wash process. In this manner, thecontrol unit for the vehicle wash system can control operation of thespray arch based on a detailed profile of the vehicle being washed.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will bemade apparent from the following description taken together with thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carryingout the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end view of an in-bay touchless vehicle wash systemincluding the vehicle loading and sensing system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the in-bay, touchless vehicle wash systemillustrating the longitudinal positioning of a vehicle within the washsystem;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle entering the vehiclewash system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the front end ofthe vehicle and the proper positioning of the vehicle within the vehiclewash system;

FIG. 5 is an end view illustrating the positioning of a vehicle withinthe vehicle wash system;

FIG. 6 is a side view taken along line 6—6 of FIG. 5 illustrating themovement of the overhead gantry relative to the vehicle;

FIG. 7 is a top, schematic illustration of the movement of the overheadgantry during the wash process;

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic illustration of the movement of the sprayarch prior to washing the front end of a vehicle;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the spray archalong the front of a vehicle being washed;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the spray archprior to washing the opposite side of a vehicle;

FIG. 11 is a view taken along line 11—11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a further illustration of the movement of the gantry to washthe opposite side of a vehicle;

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the spray archprior to washing the rear end of a vehicle; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of the movement of the spray archduring washing of the rear end of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In prior art in-bay, touchless vehicle wash systems, a floor mountedtarget device receives the left front wheel of the vehicle. In manyprior art systems, the target device is an inclined ramp that receivesthe front tire of the vehicle as the vehicle is driven onto the ramp.The ramp includes side rails that aid in the guiding of the front wheelinto the proper position, which may scuff or damage the vehicle tire asthe vehicle is being properly positioned.

In addition to the possible scuffing of the vehicle tire, prior arttouchless vehicle wash systems require the vehicle operator to line upthe front wheel with the floor mounted target while at the same timewatching instructions on bay-mounted signage. Thus, the prior art systemthat includes a floor mounted target device causes a great deal ofcustomer anxiety and is difficult to use. Additionally, if the vehicleis driven too far forward, the front tire of the vehicle drives down theback side of the ramp and the vehicle is unable to reposition itselfcorrectly within the vehicle wash bay.

In prior art vehicle wash systems, an overhead gantry moves along a pairof parallel side rails to wash the vehicle when the vehicle ispositioned within the wash bay. The overhead gantry typically includes aspray arch that passes around the outside of the vehicle to apply soapand water to clean the vehicle. However, the overhead gantry is unableto determine the position of the front bumper of the vehicle extendingforward from the front wheel.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there shown is an in-bay, touchlessvehicle wash system 10 of the present invention. The vehicle wash system10 includes four spaced uprights 12 that are connected by a pair of top,side supports 14 that define the longitudinal length of the wash system10. The side supports 14 are each joined by an end rail 16 to define atop frame for the vehicle wash system.

In addition to supporting the side supports 14, each of the uprights 12supports a pair of spaced guide rails 18. The spaced guide rails 18 areused to support an overhead gantry 20. The overhead gantry 20 is movablelongitudinally along the pair of guide rails 18 to wash the vehicle 22contained within the open wash bay. As can be understood in FIGS. 1 and2, the frame for the vehicle wash system 10 is self-supporting and canbe positioned within an open wash bay to wash the vehicle 22.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the overhead gantry 20 includes a spray arch 24that includes a series of spray nozzles used to wash the vehicle 22. Thespray arch 24 is rotatable about a central axis and is movable along thelength of the gantry 20. Thus, the spray arch 24 is movable across thewidth of the wash bay. The spray arch 24 includes a top arm 26 and aside arm 28 that each include a series of nozzles used to apply bothwater and soap to the vehicle 22 during the wash process. As can be seenin FIG. 1, the side arm 28 is angled to generally correspond to the sideprofile of a vehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the vehicle wash system 10 includes aninstruction sign 30 that includes operational instructions for thedriver of the vehicle 22 as the vehicle is positioned within the washbay of the vehicle wash system. Preferably, the instruction sign 30includes various individual areas that can be lit to provide the vehicledriver the proper instructions, such as to drive forward, drive back,and stop, as well as an indication of when the wash process has beencompleted.

Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle loading system 10 ofthe present invention includes a right vehicle position sensor 32 and aleft vehicle position sensor 34 that are used to detect the vehicle asit enters into the open wash bay between the rear pair of uprights 12.As can be seen in FIG. 1, the right and left vehicle position sensors 32and 34 are each mounted to one of the rear uprights 12 and arepositioned above the floor at a height to detect the side of a vehicle22 being driven into the open wash bay. The right and left sensors 32and 34 are positioned near the entry to the wash system such that theydetect the entire length of the vehicle, as will be described below.Both the right sensor 32 and the left sensor 34 are coupled to a controlunit 35 that controls the operation of the wash system. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, the right vehicle position sensor 32 andthe left vehicle position sensor 34 are each an ultrasonic proximitysensor that can determine the distance between the individual sensor andthe side of the vehicle.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, as the vehicle 22 enters into the openwash bay, the right vehicle position sensor 32 determines the distancebetween the sensor 32 and the side of the vehicle, as indicated by Y. Atthe same time, the left vehicle position sensor 34 determines thedistance between the sensor 34 and the left side of the vehicle, asindicated by X. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the sensors 32 and 34are connected to the control unit 35 for the vehicle wash system 10.Each of the sensors 32 and 34 determines the distance between itself andeither the right or left side of the vehicle at numerous discrete timeperiods as the vehicle 22 enters into the wash bay. The numerousmeasurements made by each of the sensors 32 and 34 are used by thecontrol unit 35 to determine the lateral position of the vehicle 22within the wash bay as well as the side profile of the vehicle.Therefore, the vehicle loading system of the present invention measuresand records the fall side profiles of the vehicle as the vehicle entersinto the wash system.

The vehicle loading system of the present invention allows the controlunit 35 of the vehicle wash system to generate a side profile for thevehicle and detect protrusions or contours in the vehicle and adjust thewash operations accordingly. The best example of this type of sidesensing is evident in FIG. 4, in which the vehicle 22 includes rearfenders 36 that extend from the otherwise constant side profile of thevehicle. As indicated in FIG. 4, each of the rear bumpers 36 generate ameasurement Y′ and X′ that is different from the initial frontmeasurements X and Y made in FIG. 3. Based upon this information, thecontrol unit used to operate the vehicle wash can control the operationof the spray arch 24 and the overhead gantry based on the position ofthe vehicle and the side profile.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the overhead gantry 20 includes an overheadsensor 38 that detects the height of the vehicle as the vehicle entersinto the wash bay. Specifically, the overhead sensor 38 is an ultrasonicproximity sensor that is connected to the control unit for the vehiclewash system such that the overhead sensor 38 senses the distance betweenthe sensor 38 and the top of the vehicle at discrete time periods as thevehicle enters into the wash bay. Again, the control unit can thendetermine the top profile of the vehicle prior to initializing the washprocess.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit 35 cancontrol the operation of the soap and water supplied to both the top arm26 and the side arm 28 of the spray arch 24 depending upon the topprofile sensed by the overhead sensor 38. For example, if the controlunit determines from the overhead sensor 38 that the vehicle beingwashed is a small, compact car, the control unit can turn off operationof the top arm 26 and only emit soap and water from the side arm 28,since the side arm 28 is high enough to adequately cover the entirecompact car. Conversely, if the overhead sensor 38 determines that thevehicle is a large truck or sport utility vehicle, the control unit canturn on the soap and water conduits for the top arm 26 to make sure thatthe roof and hood of the vehicle are adequately covered. In this manner,the vehicle wash system can more efficiently distribute soap and wateron vehicles based upon sensing the type of vehicle being washed.

In addition to determining the top profile of the vehicle, the overheadsensor 38 is able to positively determine the position of the backbumper of the vehicle as the overhead gantry 20 initially moves over thevehicle. Thus, the control unit 35 can accurately determine the positionof the back of the vehicle, as well as the position of each side priorto beginning the wash process.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the vehicle wash system 10 includes a frontsensor array 40 mounted to each of the front uprights 12. The frontsensor array 40 includes three individual through-beam sensors that eachgenerate a through beam transmitted across the width of the vehicle washbay.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the front sensor array 40 includes a firstfront sensor 42, a second front sensor 44 and a third front sensor 46that are spaced from each other along a mounting block 48. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the first, second and third frontsensors 42-46 include an emitter contained on the left mounting block 48and a corresponding receiver contained on the right mounting block 50.Thus, each of the sensors 42-46 generates a through-beam across thewidth of the vehicle wash bay.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the vehicle enters into the wash bay 11, thefront bumper 52 breaks a first through-beam 54 generated by the firstfront sensor 42. When the first beam 54 is broken, the control unit forthe vehicle wash system operates the sign 30 (FIG. 2) to instruct thecustomer to slow down.

As the vehicle 22 continues to move within the wash bay 11, the frontbumper 52 will break a second beam 56 generated by the second frontsensor 44. Upon breaking the second beam 56, the control unit operatesthe sign 30 to instruct the customer to stop. If the customer stops thevehicle before breaking the third beam 58, the sign will indicate to thecustomer that the vehicle is correctly positioned within the vehiclewash bay.

However, if the vehicle proceeds too far in the vehicle wash bay, thefront bumper 52 will break the third beam 58 generated by the thirdfront sensor 46. If the third beam 58 is broken, the control unit willindicate to the consumer that the vehicle has traveled too far withinthe wash bay and request that the vehicle be backed up until only thefirst and second beams 54 and 56 are broken. Once the vehicle iscorrectly positioned, the sign 30 indicates that the vehicle should beplaced in park and the wash process will begin.

As can be understood by the foregoing description, the elimination ofthe “target” device on the floor of the wash bay allows the consumer toeasily back up in the wash bay to correctly position the vehicle. In theprior art system which utilized a ramp to position the front end of thevehicle, the reversal of the vehicle direction created problems in thewash process.

As can be understood by the foregoing description, the vehicle loadingsystem of the present invention allows the control unit for the vehiclewash system to accurately locate the front bumper, rear bumper, make aside profile determination for the vehicle, and a top profiledetermination for the vehicle before the wash process begins. Based onthe readings from the individual sensors, the control unit for thevehicle wash system can adjust the operation of the overhead gantry andthe spray arch such that the spray arch is correctly positioned relativeto the vehicle during the wash operation.

An additional advantage of the present system is that the vehicle ispositioned within the wash bay based on the front bumper of the vehicle.By knowing the accurate position of the front bumper, the vehicle washsystem can more accurately locate the front of the car to improvecleaning. Current systems that locate the front tire positions haveproblems associated with the different vehicle dimensions between thefront bumper and the front tire.

Referring now to FIG. 5, once the vehicle has been positioned within thewash bay, the control unit is able to make a complete and accurateprofile of the position of the vehicle as well as a determination of thedistance of the vehicle between the right vehicle position sensor 32 andthe left vehicle position sensor 34. Based on this determination, thecontrol unit moves the spray arch 24 until the side arm 28 is thedesired distance X″ from the outermost side portion of the vehicle 22.In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5, the outermostportion is the extended rear bumper 36.

Once the lateral position of the spray arch has been set, the overheadgantry 20 is moved in the direction illustrated by arrow 60 of FIG. 6 toa home position, as illustrated in phantom. As the overhead gantry 20moves to the home position, the overhead sensor 38 can locate the backbumper of the vehicle. From the home position, the gantry 20 moves alongthe guide rails 18 such that the spray arch 24 washes the side of thevehicle 22. Once the gantry reaches the end position shown in FIG. 7,the spray arch 24 is rotated 90° and the spray arch is moved laterallyacross the front of the vehicle, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Once the spray arch reaches the front right corner of the vehicle, thespray arch again rotates 90° into the position shown in FIG. 10. Once inthis position, the control unit moves the spray arch 24 until the sidearm 28 is the required distance Y″ from the outermost side portion ofthe vehicle 22. Once the spray arch is in the proper position, thegantry 20 moves in the direction illustrated by arrow 62 to its rearposition, as illustrated in FIG. 12. During this movement, the sprayarch 24 washes the right side of the vehicle.

Once the gantry 20 reaches its rear position, the spray arch is rotated90° to the position illustrated in FIG. 13. Once in position, the sprayarch is moved laterally across the rear of the vehicle, as illustratedin FIG. 14. In this manner, the spray arch and gantry 20 are able towash the entire vehicle while it is positioned within the wash bay.

As can be understood by the above description, the vehicle loadingsystem of the present invention is able to accurately position thevehicle within an open wash bay without the use of a “target device”,such as a ramp that receives the front tire of a vehicle. The vehicleloading system of the present invention is thus able to more quicklyload a vehicle within the open wash bay. This is due to the customerbeing allowed much more freedom to position themselves within the washbay, since the system of the present invention can detect the positionof the vehicle and adjust the operation of the gantry accordingly. Thevehicle positioning system of the present invention has over thirty-twotimes the parking tolerance of current floor-mounted system, whichallows the customer to proceed into the wash bay faster and improves thecustomer's wash experience.

An additional advantage of the present invention is that the eliminationof the floor-mounted “target” alignment system eliminates the largeamount of maintenance and installation costs for the vehicle washmachine. Additionally, the elimination of the target system reduces anylimitations to the physical size, width, or tire size of the vehiclebeing washed within the system.

Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being withinthe scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

We claim:
 1. A method of controlling the operation of an overhead gantryand a spray arch of a vehicle wash system, the method comprising thesteps of: determining the position of a first side of the vehicle as thevehicle enters into the wash bay; determining the position of a secondside of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay; andoperating the overhead gantry and the spray arch based upon the positionof the first side of the vehicle and the position of the second side ofthe vehicle within the wash bay.
 2. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the steps of: detecting the position of the front end of thevehicle in the wash bay; and signaling to an operator of the vehicle tomove the vehicle to a selected position in the wash bay based upon thedetection of the position of the front end of the vehicle.
 3. The methodof claim 2 further comprising the steps of: detecting the height of thevehicle in the wash bay; and operating the overhead gantry and the sprayarch based upon the height of the vehicle within the wash bay.
 4. Themethod of claim 3 wherein the step of determining the height of thevehicle in the wash bay includes the steps of: positioning an overheadsensor on the overhead gantry, the overhead sensor being operable todetermine the distance from the overhead sensor to the top of thevehicle; and coupling the overhead sensor to a control unit such thatthe control unit can determine the height of the vehicle based upon thesensed distance from the overhead sensor to the top of the vehicle. 5.The method of claim 4 wherein the overhead sensor is an ultrasonicproximity sensor.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the overhead sensormakes multiple distance measurements during movement of the overheadgantry relative to the longitudinal length of the vehicle, such that thecontrol unit can generate a top profile based upon the multiple distancemeasurements.
 7. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of detecting theposition of the front end of the vehicle includes the steps of:positioning a first front sensor within the wash bay, the first frontsensor operable to detect the presence of the vehicle; positioning asecond front sensor within the wash bay, the second front sensor beingoperable to detect the presence of the vehicle, wherein the front sensoris spaced from the first front sensor; coupling the first front sensorand the second front sensor to a control unit; and signaling the properpositioning of the vehicle when only the first front sensor detects thevehicle and signaling the improper position of the vehicle when both thefirst front sensor and the second front sensor detects the presence ofthe vehicle.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first front sensor andthe second front sensor are through-beam sensors.
 9. The method of claim1 wherein the step of determining the position of the first and secondside of the vehicle includes the steps of: positioning a first vehicleposition sensor near the entry of the wash bay; positioning a secondvehicle position sensor opposite the first vehicle position sensor nearthe entry to the wash bay; operating the first vehicle position sensorto determine the distance from the first vehicle position sensor to thefirst side of the vehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay;operating the second vehicle position sensor to determine the distancefrom the second vehicle position sensor to the second side of thevehicle as the vehicle enters into the wash bay; and receiving themeasured distances from the first vehicle position sensor and the secondvehicle position sensor in a control unit, wherein the control unitcontrols the operation of the overhead gantry and the spray arch basedupon the detected distances.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein both thefirst vehicle position sensor and the second vehicle position sensor areultrasonic proximity sensors.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein thefirst vehicle position sensor and the second vehicle position sensor areeach operated at predetermined intervals such that the first vehicleposition sensor and the second vehicle position sensor generate multipledistance measurements as the vehicle enters into the wash bay such thatthe control unit can generate a side profile for each side of thevehicle.
 12. A method of loading a vehicle into a wash bay andcontrolling the operation of an overhead gantry and a spray arch of avehicle wash system positioned in the wash bay to wash the vehicle whenthe vehicle is stationary within the wash bay, wherein the wash bay isdevoid of a floor-mounted guide that locates the vehicle in apre-determined position in the wash bay, the method comprising the stepsof: signaling to an operator of the vehicle to enter into the wash bay;determining the position of a first side of the vehicle within the washbay; determining the position of a second side of the vehicle within thewash bay; and controlling the movement of the overhead gantry and thespray arch relative to the stationary vehicle based upon the determinedposition of the first side of the vehicle and the determined position ofthe second side of the vehicle within the wash bay.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 further comprising the steps of: detecting the position of thefront end of the vehicle in the wash bay; and signaling to the operatorof the vehicle to move the vehicle in the wash bay based upon thedetected position of the front end of the vehicle.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the step of detecting the position of the front end ofthe vehicle includes the steps of: positioning a first front sensor todetect the presence of the vehicle; positioning a second front sensor todetect the presence of the vehicle, wherein the second front sensor isspaced from the first front sensor; coupling the first front sensor andthe second front sensor to a control unit; and signaling to the operatorof the vehicle the proper positioning of the vehicle when only the firstfront sensor detects the vehicle and signaling to the operator of thevehicle the improper position of the vehicle when both the first frontsensor and the second front sensor detect the presence of the vehicle.15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first front sensor and the secondfront sensor are through-beam sensors.
 16. The method of claim 12further comprising the steps of: detecting the height of the vehicle inthe bay; and controlling the operation of the spray arch based upon theheight of the vehicle within the wash bay.
 17. The method of claim 16wherein the step of determining the height of the vehicle in the washbay includes the steps of: positioning an overhead sensor to determinethe distance from the overhead sensor to the top of the vehicle; andreceiving the measured distance from the overhead sensor in a controlunit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the spray archbased upon the measured distance received from the overhead sensor. 18.The method of claim 17 wherein the overhead sensor is an ultrasonicproximity sensor.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the overhead sensormakes multiple distance measurements relative to the longitudinal lengthof the vehicle, such that the control unit can generate a top profilebased upon the multiple distance measurements.
 20. The method of claim17 wherein the overhead sensor is mounted on the overhead gantry. 21.The method of claim 12 wherein the step of determining the position ofthe first and second side of the vehicle within the wash bay includesthe steps of: positioning a first vehicle position sensor within thewash bay; postioning a second vehicle position sensor within the washbay; operating the first vehicle position sensor to determine thedistance from the first vehicle position sensor to the first side of thevehicle; operating the second vehicle position sensor to determine thedistance from the second vehicle position sensor to the second side ofthe vehicle; and receiving the measured distances from the first vehicleposition sensor and the second vehicle position sensor in a controlunit, wherein the control unit controls the movement of the overheadgantry and the spray arch based upon the measured distances.
 22. Themethod of claim 21 wherein both the first vehicle position sensor andthe second vehicle position sensor are ultrasonic proximity sensor. 23.The method of claim 21 wherein the first vehicle positon sensor and thesecond vehicle position sensor are each operated at predeterminedintervals such that both the first vehicle position sensor and thesecond vehicle position sensor generate multiple distance measurementsalong the first and second sides of the vehicle, wherein the multipledistance measurements are stored in the control unit such that thecontrol unit can generate a side profile for each side of the vehicle.24. The method of claim 23 wherein the side profile for each side of thevehicle is generated prior the control unit moving the overhead gantryand the spray arch to wash the vehicle.
 25. The method of claim 21wherein the control unit controls the movement of the spray arch towardand away from the first and second sides of the vehicle based onmeasured distances from the first vehicle position sensor and the secondvehicle position sensor.
 26. The method of loading a vehicle into a washbay and controlling the operation of an overhead gantry and a spray archof a vehicle wash system positioned in the wash bay to wash the vehiclewhen the vehicle is stationary within the wash bay, wherein the wash bayis devoid of a floor-mounted guide that locates the vehicle in the washbay, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a first frontsensor to detect the presence of the vehicle; positioning a second frontsensor to detect the presence of the vehicle, wherein the second frontsensor is spaced from the first front sensor; signaling the properpositioning of the vehicle in the wash bay when only the first frontsensor detects the vehicle and signaling the improper position of thevehicle when both the first front sensor and the second front sensordetect the presence of the vehicle; position a first vehicle positionsensor within the wash bay, the first vehicle position sensor beingoperable to determine the distance from the first vehicle positionsensor to a first side of the vehicle; positioning a second vehicleposition sensor in the wash bay, the second vehicle position sensorbeing operable to determine the distance from the second vehicleposition sensor to a second side of the vehicle; and receiving thedetermined distances from the first vehicle position sensor and thesecond vehicle position sensor in a control unit, wherein the controlunit controls the movement of the overhead gantry and the spray archrelative to the stationary vehicle based upon the determined distances.27. The method of claim 26 wherein the control unit controls themovement of the spray arch toward and away from the first and secondsides of the vehicle based on measured distances from the first vehicleposition sensor and the second vehicle position sensor.
 28. The methodof claim 26 wherein both the first vehicle position sensor and thesecond vehicle position sensor are stationary ultrasonic proximitysensors.
 29. The method of claim 26 wherein the first vehicle positionsensor and the second vehicle position sensor are each operated atpredetermined intervals such that the first vehicle position sensor andthe second vehicle position sensor generate multiple distancemeasurements along both the first and second sides of the, wherein themultiple distance measurements are stored in the control unit.
 30. Themethod of claim 29 wherein the multiple distance measurements arereceived in the control unit prior to movement of the overhead gantryand the spray arch.
 31. The method of claim 26 wherein the first frontsensor and the second front sensor are through-beam sensors.
 32. Themethod of claim 26 wherein the control unit receives the measureddistances from the first vehicle position sensor and the second vehicleposition sensor prior to movement of the overhead gantry and the sprayarch.
 33. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of:positioning an overhead sensor on the overhead gantry, the overheadsensor being operable to detect the position of a back end of thevehicle; and coupling the overhead sensor to a control unit such thatthe control unit can determine the position of the back end of thevehicle in the wash bay.
 34. The method of claim 33 wherein the overheadsensor is an ultrasonic proximity sensor.